Stiff ankles can drastically limit your ability to get into a natural, deep squat. Weightlifting shoes with a raised heel can hide and mitigate some of that ankle stiffness to a degree but the underlying problem is still there and can lead to problems down the road.

So how do you fix your stiff ankles? Well first, you have to assess if your ankles are actually the problem. Then you need to do the right soft tissue exercises or stretches that target the problem rather than just trying a bunch of things and wasting your time.

To get started, watch this video where Dr. Aaron Horschig of Squat University walks us through his assessment for the squat and how to fix tight ankles so you can get into a perfect squat naturally.

And stay tuned for Part’s 3 and 4 and Aaron’s interview on Episode 233.

Want to learn more about how to mobilize for squats? Check out our mobility course, Movement Specific Mobility, and learn exactly how to mobilize for squats and deadlifts based on your movement limitations.